Dwayne Johnson books "Protection"

<p>Cast member Dwayne Johnson poses during the Spanish premiere of the film "Race to Witch Mountain" in Madrid April 2, 2009. REUTERS/Andrea Comas</p>

The screenplay, written by Brandon Noonan, follows a Mexico City security operative who is forced to smuggle the daughter of a high-ranking judge across the border while being pursued by corrupt cops, drug lords and white-collar U.S. criminal forces.

Simon West (“When a Stranger Calls”) is directing the movie, which is scheduled to start filming in New Mexico in the fall.

Johnson’s most recent films were “Tooth Fairy” and “Race to Witch Mountain,” and he has an uncredited cameo in “Why Did I Get Married Too?” He’ll next appear in the comedy “The Other Guys” in August and the CBS Films action feature “Faster,” set for release in November.